I turned reality into a romantic comedy

Although you can't really tell the difference in height between the two of them just by looking at them standing together.

"Since my brother has guests, I'll head back now. I came mainly to borrow a broom to clean my room, which has been a bit dusty since I last visited."

"Okay, I'll go get it for you."

"Thank you, brother."

After accepting the broom and dustpan from Chen Junqian, Gu Lingguo politely said goodbye to Lin Mu inside before gently closing the door and leaving.

"...What a good child."

Lin Mu originally thought that his performance in front of outsiders was already impeccable, but Gu Lingguo's performance just now gave off a different feeling.

"Rather than saying I have particularly good family upbringing, it feels more like I'm a good kid, and that's the impression I give people."

Chen Junqian nodded in agreement with Lin Mu's opinion. After all, family education is a very mysterious concept. Family education is indeed an important aspect, but it is never the whole story. The child's own initiative is also crucial. He has seen all kinds of children in his past and present lives.

Moreover, judging from the few words Chen Xi revealed to him, the other party's family background was actually far inferior to that of Mu Mu in front of him. As a result, Gu Lingguo's behavior was neither like Zhu Wenyun, nor like Xu Youwei, nor like Shen Nianqiu, which was indeed a very strange thing. However, since he did not know the other party very well, it was not appropriate to make a direct judgment.

After finishing her jelly, Lin Mu had to head to her afternoon tutoring class. Chen Junqian saw her downstairs and originally planned to go back as well, but then he suddenly remembered that Gu Lingguo had borrowed his broom earlier. He thought it wouldn't be good if no one was home when she returned it, so he went back to the new house and waited for a while. He read for about half an hour in his room, and then he heard a knock on the door.

When they opened the door, they found Gu Lingguo, who had come to return the broom and dustpan.

"Thank you for the broom, brother. The room is all clean now."

Compared to half an hour ago, Gu Lingguo, who looked like she had just finished a thorough cleaning, looked a bit disheveled. Her forehead was covered with a fine layer of sweat, and there were traces of dust on her face, which made Chen Junqian a little curious.

"A newly renovated house shouldn't have this many areas to clean, right?"

"Hmm, brother is really smart. Actually, it's not about cleaning the house, it's mainly about dusting my wardrobe and bookshelves."

"Wardrobe? Bookshelf?"

“Yes, my mom said that my old wardrobe and bookshelf are still usable and there is no need to buy new ones. So last night, she asked my grandpa to ride his tricycle over and bring the things over. Since everything inside has been temporarily emptied, I thought I should clean it first. After all, it's a new house and a new room. Even if the furniture isn't new, it's better to keep it as clean as possible.”

As she spoke, Gu Linguo shifted slightly to the side of the doorway:

"Oh right, I don't think my brother has ever come to my house yet. I'm the only one here today, so I'd like to come in and have a drink... wait, the water dispenser isn't installed yet. I'll go downstairs and buy you a beverage."

Seeing Gu Linguo about to run down the slope, Chen Junqian quickly reached out and stopped her.

"No need for that, but I would really like to see your house, is that alright?"

"It's okay, come on."

As Gu Linguo led Chen Junqian into her open house, she extended her hand to introduce him to the family.

Since they are both apartments in the same complex, the size and layout of the two apartments are not much different. However, the decoration styles are indeed different, with old and new furniture mixed together. Especially in Gu Lingguo's own room, it is easy to give people a sense of incongruity.

Is this a greeting card?

Upon seeing something the other person had placed on the desk in the room, Chen Junqian subconsciously asked this question.

"Yes, tomorrow is my birthday, and this is a note I wrote to my mom in advance."

Happy birthday in advance! Are you celebrating your birthday according to the lunar calendar?

"On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, you and I are next to each other. The second day of the twelfth lunar month is also coming up, right? So I'd like to wish you a happy birthday in advance. Happy birthday, brother."

After saying that with a smile, Gu Lingguo's expression quickly returned to normal. Looking at the unfinished greeting card, her face seemed a little gloomy.

"Although I don't really like celebrating my birthday."

It was at this moment that the system in Chen Junqian's mind began inputting data again, but this time it was even more erratic than before.

Personality adaptability: A? ? ? D? ? ?

Speaking adaptability: A? ? ? D? ? ?

Action adaptability: A? ? ? D? ? ?

However, Chen Junqian was completely unaware of this, because all his attention had been drawn to Gu Linguo.

"Brother, if a child's birthday is the mother's day of suffering, then can my actual birthday be considered the first day of the second lunar month, which is the day my mother conceived me? At least she was happy that day, right?"

The other party seemed to want an answer from Chen Junqian.

"Or is it that, from the very beginning, as she said, from the day she became pregnant with me, she was never happy, but instead suffered and never had a single day of peace?"

Chapter 44: New Birthday

Faced with Gu Linguo's question, Chen Junqian himself did not know how to answer, because in his opinion, speaking too frankly with someone you don't know well is a major taboo in interpersonal communication. It would be quite irresponsible of him to make a conclusion before he had seen the whole picture.

Moreover, Chen Junqian did not feel that he had much say or persuasive power in this matter. Although it is true that people can never truly empathize with each other, if there is no shared experience, then empathy will be quite difficult.

Therefore, he could understand Xu Youwei's feelings after her mother's death, and he could also empathize with Zhu Wenyun's loneliness when her parents were not around for a long time. However, Chen Junqian was actually seeing Gu Lingguo's situation for the first time in reality.

However, looking back, the so-called taboo of speaking too intimately with someone you don't know well is actually a theory among adults. For children of this age, a few hours of friendly interaction can lead them to make a wish to stay together forever, and a small conflict can also cause friends who have played together for a long time to break up, because children are inherently the most self-centered in their thinking.

In this respect, Gu Linguo was not so much asking him this question in hopes of getting an answer from him, but rather just wanting some kind of attitude or comfort from him, because he should also know that he doesn't know anything about her family's situation at all.

That's why, rather than rushing to answer with a yes or no, it's best to change the subject in a different direction.

In a flash, Chen Junqian's mind raced, and he sincerely told Gu Linguo his thoughts:

"Actually, I don't really like celebrating my birthday either, but the reason is different from yours. It's because I've never felt that my birthday is a particularly important day. Although some people have said that 'there's only one birthday a year,' in fact, that statement can be applied to any day."

"For example, today is December 24th. It's neither your birthday nor mine, but it's the only day of the year, the only December 24th. The meaning of a festival is always given by people themselves, so if you want, whether it's the first day of the second lunar month that you just mentioned, or any other day, you can turn it into your own new birthday."

Perhaps because he had spent so much time with his younger sister, Mu Mu, Chen Junqian subconsciously stretched out his right hand as he spoke, habitually preparing to pat her on the head. However, he only realized halfway out that the person standing in front of him was neither Lin Mu nor Chen Xi.

However, Gu Lingguo noticed his little action, and then took the initiative to reach out and hold Chen Junqian's right hand, as if to feel his body temperature, and wrapped it in her palms, and then sat on the edge of the bed and pressed her forehead against it.

"My brother's answer was a bit cunning, but I like it."

As she spoke, she raised her head again, tilting her small face slightly upwards to look at Chen Junqian:

"Then my new birthday will be the second day of the twelfth lunar month, the same as yours, brother, is that okay?"

"Of course, so how about we celebrate our birthdays together the day after tomorrow?"

"Uh-huh."

In an unknown corner, according to the system's assessment, Gu Lingguo's adaptability in speech, personality, and actions has slowly rebounded from the lowest level of D, but the overall trend still shows no signs of stabilizing. As for appearance and basic abilities, they are still shrouded in a fog of gibberish, showing no sign of being revealed at all.

On December 124, 2011, Gu Linguo had a new birthday, and for a long time afterward, she felt that it was her own new birthday.

Can a primary school student develop a crush on someone?

At least in the animations Gu Lingguo has seen, it is possible.

Just like the confession of Honma Meiko to Jinta in "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day," which aired in April and ended in July this year.

The first translation she read from a fanfiction group was, "I like Jinta, the kind of liking where I want to be Jinta's wife."

Then, another user she follows on Bilibili gave her a private translation: "I like Jinta, the kind of liking that makes me want to be Jinta's bride."

Gu Linguo preferred the latter.

----------------------------------

December 25th, Christmas Day, Sunday.

Seemingly to welcome Christmas, Hsu Yu-Wei even spent a fortune to bring in four Christmas trees and place them in their secret hideout.

Of course, it's not a traditional Christmas tree, but a fun science toy called a rainbow Christmas tree. You just need to pour the specific liquid from each bag onto the tree made of absorbent cardboard, and you'll soon see the trunk and branches start to 'bloom,' forming white crystals that resemble snowflakes or flowers.

In fact, this specific liquid is usually a saturated solution of potassium dihydrogen nitrate or other soluble salts. The solution contains a large amount of dissolved salt, reaching a high concentration. After being poured onto the tree and the water evaporates, the salt will quickly precipitate out in the form of crystals, eventually covering the entire tree and growing into a well-shaped Christmas tree.

"Speaking of which, if next year really is the end of the world, then wouldn't next month's New Year be the last New Year?"

It seems that Hsu Yu-Wei is still very much in character today.

"That's the theory."

Chen Junqian slowly peeled an orange beside him and answered cooperatively. It was probably because the achievement related to the kotatsu in his system kept mentioning that the best partner for the kotatsu in winter was oranges, so he also started eating oranges in winter.

However, unlike most people, Chen Junqian eats oranges very slowly. He likes to carefully peel an orange peel completely, and before eating the segments inside, he compulsively removes all the tiny white pith before finally putting it in his mouth with satisfaction.

Incidentally, Zhu Wenyun was probably the first girl to notice his habit, so from then on, whenever he visited her home, Zhu Wenyun would peel the white pith off the orange beforehand when she peeled oranges for him.

However, compared to these minor details, Xu Youwei was clearly still immersed in her own worldview and began to continue her story with great enthusiasm:

"I remember Qinqin mentioned the fireworks display at the city hall square during the Chinese New Year this year, right? But it rained on the Lantern Festival this year, so it didn't happen."

"Hmm, I don't know if it can be held as scheduled this year."

Compared to watching fireworks, Chen Junqian was more concerned about whether this slightly larger event could fool the system's review mechanism and be classified as a fireworks festival or something similar. Otherwise, it would be quite frustrating to have a bunch of related achievements stuck there and unable to be unlocked.

"Does Qinqin really like watching fireworks that much?"

"Isn't Yoyo the same? Otherwise, why would she come over every year during Chinese New Year to play with fireworks and firecrackers with me?"

After exchanging a few words, Xu Youwei finally got back to the main point:

"As for this year... even if the fireworks display at the city hall square doesn't happen in the end, it's okay. This was my birthday wish to my dad during the summer vacation. I told him I wanted to see a big fireworks display during the Lunar New Year, and he agreed. So, Qinqin can watch this one with me then."

"Is that an exaggeration?"

"After all, this might be the last New Year. It's best to fulfill this wish as soon as possible, otherwise, the longer it's delayed, the more unpredictable and chaotic things might happen."

Xu Youwei clearly agreed with this point. In fact, if it weren't only during the Lunar New Year that such a performance could be organized, given her personality, she would probably have arranged it for Chen Junqian during the summer vacation. After all, who knows if Chen Junqian would suddenly lose interest in this thing next year, or if some other problems would arise.

And the doomsday reason is indeed very useful.

As long as it's placed at the beginning of a sentence, it seems like it can be followed by any action without any problem. At least, using this as a pretext, Xu Youwei has already done many things to Chen Junqian that she wouldn't have done before in the past year.

After all, without this excuse, the real secret base they were currently in, a place even Lin Mu didn't know about, wouldn't have been cleared out.

When are you planning to hold YoYo's fireworks display?

"The specific date hasn't been set yet, but it should be during the Spring Festival period from the first to the fifteenth of the lunar month."

"Oh, it would be better if it were before the tenth of the month, because after the tenth I have to officially start preparing for the move."

"……move place?"

"Hmm? Didn't Mumu tell you?"

Chen Junqian was equally puzzled by Xu Youwei's complete ignorance. He had always thought that she already knew about this from Lin Mu, since Lin Mu had been present from the time she bought the house and chose the location half a year ago until the renovation was completed.

"No, so why the sudden move?"

"Because I'm going to junior high school next year, and the school district for the wear-resistant factory area doesn't include Ningzhong Middle School, my family wants me to go to Ningzhong Middle School, so we bought a new house nearby. It's almost finished being renovated, and we're just waiting to move there after the New Year."

In fact, Xu Youwei could hardly hear the second half of Chen Junqian's words anymore, because all she could think about was the simple fact that Chen Junqian was moving.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. The other person's father has seen both his salary and professional title increase, and Qinqin herself, according to her father, is also doing a big business with others, so how could she possibly continue to live in that cramped apartment of only thirty-odd square meters?

It's just that because she has always lived in the school district of Ningzhong, she subconsciously forgot to consider this aspect.

But...but.

This means that her countless fantasies in the past about Chen Junqian discovering the secret of that wall by chance, or about her actively revealing the secret a long, long time later, are all null and void and can never happen again.

In that instant, Xu Youwei felt a long-lost feeling of being in a state of utter confusion. Various thoughts floated and swirled in her mind, and she even had an impulse to tell Chen Junqian about it directly. However, she managed to suppress it, because if she did, everything would be different.

...Go back and ask your father.

Of course, what Hsu Yu-wei was completely unaware of was that Hsu Chih-ling, who was currently helping his daughter organize the fireworks display, had also received another piece of information from a government official he knew:

Starting in 2012, Guoning City will officially begin its efforts to actively strive to become a National Civilized City.

Those alleys and old streets that she once thought would always exist, every little shop and amusement facility that the two of them walked together, would undergo tremendous changes in the next year or two and then disappear from her childhood memories.

In this world, it's not only living things that can betray people.

In this respect, Hsu Yu-wei didn't even have that many diaries that she could reread and recall endlessly.

Chapter 45: Fall, Fall, Snowflakes That Miss You (Part 2)

Monday, December 26th.

Near the stairwell platform in the school corridor, after listening to Chen Junqian's account of Gu Linguo, Zhu Wenyun subconsciously stood up and glanced down at the stairwell below.